How to Write Personal Letters

Personal Letters:-

Personal letter are informal letters. These are letters that do not have many rules. Since you are writing to your friends and family you are free to choose your tone and content. Write your full name and address even if it is an informal letter.

Divide your letter in small paragraphs. Keep your writing simple. Make a good choice of words especially if you are writing an apology letter or a letter to express your condolences in case of a death.

Date  : The Date is placed at the top right end of the page.

Salutation  : On the extreme left side of the page a few spaces below the date. It can be “Dear Ram” or “My Dear Mummy/M0” (but not mother). You always address your mother, father, brother by a name, not by relationship. Body: start a space or two below the salutation. Indent all the paragraphs.

Closing : Most people close the letter with phrases like ‘Yours affectionately/ With love/ All the best/Take care’ etc. These words should be a few spaces below the last line of the text, on the right side. (Now a days left side closing has also become popular.)

This is the basic structure of a letter. You can modify it according to the purpose before which it is written and the person to whom it is addressed. For example, if you are writing a letter for job application, then you may need to attack your resume along with the letter and also mention the same in it’ll furthermore, you try to write as simply and as clearly as possible, and not to make the letter longer than necessary. Remember not to use informal language like contractions.

Examples

                                                                                                                        4 December, 2010

Dear Dad

Greetings.  I am quite comfortable in my new hostel. My roommate is also a vegetarian and non-smoker, so no problems. The place is very hot, so I planning to buy a cooler. A good cooler costs about Rs. 4000. I know you have spent quite a lot on my education but this is also a necessary expenditure. I hope you will be able to send me the money by the weekend. Sorry for the trouble. Say hi to mom and didi.

                                                                                                                        Love

                                                                                                                        Aman……………

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               9^th April, 2011.

Hi John,

Long time no see and no talk and no letter too. What’s up man? Very busy in studies or movies? The news is that I am coming to

Bombay on the 11^th, for three days and will be staying at the Taj. Keep your evenings free and we will paint the town red. Hope you have saved enough money to take me for outings. Worried? Just joking! At least keep yourself!

Bye

                                                                                                                                    Vijay…..

• Key Points-
• Write your full name, address and date before you begin the letter.
• Address the person you are writing the letter to with correct name and designation.
• It is always advisable to start the letter with Respected Sir/Madam’ or ‘Dear Sir/ Madam’ and then mention the name and the address.
• Before beginning to write the letter you must state the purpose of the letter in one line titled ‘Subject’
• Your letter should be very crisp giving cut only that information which is required.
• You letter should state action/information required/ supplied or requesting action to be taken.
• While closing, do not forget to end your letter politely by using phrases like thanking you and undersigning your letter using. Yours faithfully/sincerely. (Name).